Bergisel Ski Jump: 3 Good Reasons to Head Up this Innsbruck Hill

The Bergisel ski jump is a prominent landmark on Innsbruck’s southern skyline. Here are three good reasons why it’s worth visiting the Bergisel hill overlooking the Tyrolean capital.

Notable events, including the Olympic Winter Games of 1964 and 1976, have been hosted at the Innsbruck ski jump site. Historically, the hill was the site of the Four Battles of Bergisel, where local rebels fought against Napoleon´s army and Bavarian forces in 1809.

This combination of historical significance, the modern ski jump, and panoramic views from the hill, makes Bergisel an interesting location to visit.

1. Bergisel Ski Jump

A lot has changed since the first ski jumpers came racing down the Bergisel in 1927, with a winning distance of 47.5 metres. The current hill record of 138 metres was set by Michael Hayböck in 2015.

The modern Innsbruck ski jump is an architectural masterpiece which won the Austrian State Prize for architecture in 2002. The stadium has a capacity of 26,000 people.

Two lifts take visitors to a 50 m high tower and viewing terrace overlooking the Innsbruck ski jump. Alternatively, you can climb 455 stairs to the top. The view from the top, where ski jumpers start their descent, is stomach churning. The ramp is 98 metres long with a landing slope that reaches 37° in some areas.

The venue’s grandstand accommodates up to 28,000 people. Before the big changes were made, around 66,0000 people fit into the stadium in 1988 to attend a mass held by Pope John Paul II.

Bergisel Essential Information

Tips for Your Innsbruck Ski Jump Visit

• You can book a meeting with the Bergisel ski jumping team for a guided tour and a unique ski jumping event. Alternatively, it’s possible to make an appointment to sit on the balance beam which the ski jumpers take off from. Find more details here.
• Be on the lookout for some of the world’s best ski jumpers who train at the Innsbruck ski jump in summer. Between May and October, the Bergisel ski jumping team also offers daily free show jumping from 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 15:00 (depending on the weather conditions).  Our timing was perfect early in May when we saw someone jump just as we got there around 14:00.
• Entry to the Bergisel ski jump is included in the Innsbruck Card. I highly recommend including it in your itinerary if you have the 48-hour Innsbruck card.
• On some days, the Bergisel ski jump may be closed for regular visitors or only open for events which require different tickets.
• Savour the view of the Nordkette mountains on the other side of Innsbruck while drinking or eating something at the Bergisel Sky restaurant.

2. The Tirol Panorama and Museum of the Tyrolean Imperial Infantry

On 13 August 1809, the hill overlooking Innsbruck was the site of the Third Battle of Bergisel. Andreas Hofer led 18,000 rebels against a Bavarian army division. The German side suffered 200 dead and 250 wounded, while Hofer’s forces had 100 killed and 220 wounded.

This battle inspired Tyrol’s largest oil painting, the Tirol Panorama by Zeno Diemer, created in 1896. The panoramic 360° painting on a canvas covering more than 1,000 m² provides a vivid depiction of the battle on the actual hill where it took place. This immersive experience is enhanced after hiking the panorama route around the Bergisel.

Visitors move from the Tirol Panorama to an exhibit on Tyrolean myths before entering the Museum of the Tyrolean Imperial Infantry. M was most interested in the selection of weapons belonging to regiments of the Imperial and Royal Light Infantry, while I preferred the Tyrol Exhibition.

We can read and understand German, but there was no written explanation in English throughout the museum. However, free audio guides are available in German, English, Italian, French, and Spanish.

Tirol Panorama Essential Information

The museum entry is free for children under 19. Children under 15 in the company of an adult with the combo ticket also get free entry to the ski jump. The Tirol Panorama is also included in the Innsbruck Card. Moreover, you can buy a museum combo ticket for €14 to give you access to all the major museums in the city.

Read more: Looking for a place to stay near the Bergisel? Check out this list for the top rentals for Airbnb in Innsbruck from travel blogger Bianca Malata.

3. Circular Bergisel Hiking Trail

The Bergisel circular hiking trail is a great way to experience not only the museum but also the contemporary architecture of the ski jump and the natural surroundings of Innsbruck.

Start at either the parking area behind the Tirol Panorama or in front of the ski jump. For first-time visitors, the parking lot is advisable. We followed the yellow “Panoramarunde” signs from the ski jump, but they soon disappeared, leading to several intersections where we had to guess the direction. A general rule of thumb is to keep left.

Take photos of the ski jump from various angles through the trees. You will also see large rocks next to the trail, including marble, limestone, and dolomite from Tyrol.

The highlight of the trail is the Drachenfelsen viewing platform overlooking the Sill gorge. It is sturdy and secured, featuring glass panels at the front through which you can see the bottom of the gorge 50 metres below.

The Drachenfelsen platform is close to the trail’s end at the parking lot. It took us about an hour to finish the route. If you’re short on time before or after visiting the ski jump and the Tirol Panorama, you can just walk to this platform and back.

Where to Buy Bergisel Ski Jump Tickets

You can purchase Bergisel Ski Jump tickets at several locations. The most convenient option is to buy them directly at the ticket office located at the entrance of the Bergisel complex. This allows you to purchase tickets on the day of your visit and receive any immediate updates or information from the staff.

Also remember the ski jump and Tirol Panorama with Kaiserjägermuseum are included in the Innsbruck Card. If you are planning to visit more Innsbruck attractions, buying the card can save you money.

Additionally, tickets can be purchased online through the official Bergisel Ski Jump website. Or if you are already in Innsbruck and don’t have the Innsbruck Card but prefer to buy tickets in person before heading to the ski jump, you can also find them at tourist information centres around the city, including the main Innsbruck Information Office in the city centre.

When buying tickets, consider whether you want to include access to the Tirol Panorama Museum or any guided tours that may be available.

How to Get to the Innsbruck Ski Jump

Bergisel Address: Bergiselweg 3, A-6020 Innsbruck

By Car: Take the Innsbruck Süd-offramp on the A13 highway. Travel on the B182 direction Innsbruck for 2,3 km before turning right at the Bergisel sign. Alternatively, travel on the B182 from Innsbruck (past the Grasmayr bell factory and Wilten monastery) and turn left into Bergisel Road.

By Public Transport: The Sightseer Bus which is included in the Innsbruck Card stops in front of the Tirol Panorama. The Stubai Valley bus and tram, departing from the main station, also stops close enough to walk to the Bergisel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get to Bergisel ski jump?

You can easily reach the Bergisel Ski Jump by tram or car from Innsbruck’s city center. Take tram line 1 toward Bergisel and get off at the final stop, just a short walk from the entrance.

How tall is the Bergisel ski jump?

The Bergisel Ski Jump tower stands at an impressive 47 meters (154 feet) tall. Combined with the hill’s elevation, jumpers launch from a height of over 250 meters above Innsbruck.

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